2025 Faculty Awards
Call for Nominations
Purpose: To recognize and encourage excellence in all forms at the academic level.
Nominations are currently being requested for the 2024-25 University Awards for Excellence in the Faculty Award Categories. The awards ceremony is typically held in late spring semester. We will provide more information about the format and details about the ceremony later in spring semester.
Submission Deadline: The nomination deadline has been extended to Friday, Feb. 7, 2025, for all awards. Review the specific award details below for submission requirements. All awards are submitted via this form unless otherwise noted.
Nominate a Candidate
This award was established in 2006 to honor the efforts of graduate faculty who excel as mentors of graduate students and was named for its first recipient, Donald L. Crawford. This award is part of the College of Graduate Studies’ continuing efforts to support excellent mentoring of graduate students at the University of Idaho.
This award is part of the College of Graduate Studies’ continuing efforts to support and recognize outstanding teaching by graduate students at the University of Idaho. Many forms of teaching exist throughout the graduate school experience, including teaching classes and labs, mentoring and advising students, and assisting professors in teaching and developing course materials for on-campus and off-campus students. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to nominate outstanding graduate students for these awards.
This award is part of the College of Graduate Studies’ continuing efforts to recognize and encourage excellence in research and creative activity by graduate students at the University of Idaho. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to nominate outstanding graduate students for this award.
The postdoctoral mentoring award is to recognize faculty who have demonstrated exceptional support and guidance for University of Idaho postdoctoral scholars/fellows. The award is presented by the College of Graduate Studies and the Office of Research and Economic Development.
The Outstanding postdoctoral scholar/fellow award is part of the continuing effort by the College of Graduate Studies and Office of Research and Economic Development to recognize and encourage excellence in research and other creative activities by postdoctoral fellows at the University of Idaho. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to nominate an outstanding postdoctoral scholar/fellow for this award.
The Excellence in Research and Creative Activity award was established to recognize and encourage excellence in all forms of scholarly research and creative activity. One award will be made in the amount of $5,000 to an eligible faculty member.
The General Education Teaching Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate teaching excellence and passion in advancing the skills, knowledge and interests of students through general education courses at the University of Idaho. This includes engaging students through innovative practices that support student achievement, student access and student problem-solving skills that align with General Education Learning Outcomes.
Award: $1,500
Eligibility: Available to Temporary Faculty Lectures, Instructors, Senior Instructors, Assistant Professors, Associate Professors and Full Professors who have delivered one or more courses as part of the General Education program for more than two years.
Nominations: It is the responsibility of the nominator and nominee to gather and submit all necessary materials.
Materials Required: The following materials are required for each nominee:
- Upload all of the following materials using the Excellence Award Nomination Form.
- two-page nomination letter from unit administrator (Chair, Department Head, Associate Dean, or Dean) or colleague that describes how nominee has demonstrated excellence in advancing the skills, knowledge and interests of students through general education courses and confirms nominee meets eligibility requirements;
- two-page candidate statement from the nominee that describes their efforts related to general education (e.g., how the nominee helps students achieve general education outcomes, employs innovative teaching practices, promotes disciplinary methods for inquiry of non-majors); and
- materials that showcase an innovative assignment, activity, or teaching strategy that is relevant, engaging and effective with a one-page statement that describes the course and explains how this innovation is used in class.
Evaluation: Nominees will be reviewed systematically by an awards sub-committee composed of five UCGE members using an UCGE committee approved evaluation rubric. Any ties will be settled by the consensus of the full UCGE committee (both voting and ex-officio members).
This Award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated exemplary service to the University of Idaho General Education Program. Such service supports practices that enhance student achievement, student access and student problem-solving skills that align with General Education Learning Outcomes.
Award: $1,500
Eligibility: Available to any member of the university community that supports the General Education program.
Nominations: It is the responsibility of the nominator and nominee to gather and submit all necessary materials.
Materials Required: The following materials are required for each nominee:
- Upload all of the following materials using the Excellence Award Nomination Form.
- two-page nomination letter from another member of the university community that describes how nominee has demonstrated exemplary support of general education; and
- two letters of support (two-page limit) from individuals familiar with the nominee’s efforts to support general education.
Evaluation: Nominees will be reviewed systematically by an awards sub-committee composed of five UCGE members using an UCGE committee approved evaluation rubric. Any ties will be settled by the consensus of the full UCGE committee (both voting and ex-officio members).
The Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes exemplary teachers who demonstrate excellence in teaching and strong dedication to students. The award intends to encourage and reward teachers for their pursuit of excellence and show the value teaching holds for our university.
The Excellence in Teaching Award was established in 1990. This $5,000 award is available to full time, board appointed teaching faculty. Faculty eligible include Clinical, Instructor, Research and Tenured faculty who have completed at least three years teaching at the University of Idaho. Most nominees for the Excellence in Teaching Award are faculty who have completed six or more years at U of I.
Recipients may only receive an award once.
Materials Required: The following materials are required for each nominee:
- Upload all of the following materials using the Excellence Award Nomination form.
- Nomination letter from a university community member identifying why the nominee deserves to be recognized for their teaching.
- U of I CV highlighting your teaching related activities using the U of I Standard Faculty and Extension CV templates.
- Three-page statement of Instructional Excellence and Impact (single-spaced, 12-point font, one-inch margins). Explain and provide examples (assignments, projects, assessments, etc.) for what distinguishes your teaching as excellent, effective, or innovative. This can include novel approaches to teaching, student engagement, integration of technology, etc.
- Supporting materials that include the following:
- One letter of support from your department chair/unit head, colleague or former student familiar with your teaching that addresses your teaching strengths and impact of student learning (one page max).
- Teaching evaluations that include end of course assessment as well as narrative commentary about your teaching. (Email studeval@uidaho.edu to request your teaching evaluations.)
If you have questions about this, feel free to contact the University Teaching Committee.
Observe all page limits. Packets that exceed the page limits will be returned without consideration.
The Hoffman Award in Teaching Excellence recognizes exemplary teachers who demonstrate excellence in teaching and strong dedication to students. The award intends to encourage and reward teachers for their pursuit of excellence and show the value teaching holds for our university.
The Hoffman Award in Teaching Excellence was established in 2007. This $1,500 award is designated for full-time faculty who have completed at least three years teaching at U of I but no more than six years. Faculty eligible for this award include instructors, clinical faculty and untenured tenure-track faculty.
Materials Required: The following materials are required for each nominee:
- Upload all of the following materials using the Excellence Award Nomination Form.
- Nomination letter from a university community member identifying why the nominee deserves to be recognized for their teaching.
- U of I CV highlighting your teaching related activities using the U of I Standard Faculty and Extension CV templates.
- Three-page statement of Instructional Excellence and Impact (single-spaced, 12-point font, one-inch margins). Explain and provide examples (assignments, projects, assessments, etc.) for what distinguishes your teaching as excellent, effective or innovative. This can include novel approaches to teaching, student engagement, integration of technology, etc.
- Supporting materials that include the following:
- One letter of support from your department chair/unit head, colleague or former student familiar with your teaching that addresses your teaching strengths and impact of student learning (one page max).
- Teaching evaluations that include end of course assessment as well as narrative commentary about your teaching. (Email studeval@uidaho.edu to request your teaching evaluations.)
If you have questions, contact the University Teaching Committee.
Observe all page limits. Packets that exceed the page limits will be returned without consideration.
The Advising Excellence Award recognizes exemplary advisors who demonstrate strong dedication to student needs and passion for inspiring students to discover and achieve their full potential during their time at the university and beyond. It is intended to encourage and reward advisors for excellence and show the value advisors hold for our university.
The Advising Excellence Award was established in 2003 and recognizes an outstanding undergraduate faculty advisor and/or a professional staff advisor and provides an award of $2,000.
Recipients may only receive an award once.
Materials: It is the responsibility of the nominator and the nominee to gather and submit all necessary materials prior to the Feb. 9, 2025 deadline.
Materials Required: The following materials are required for each nominee:
Your application should include:
- Upload all the following materials using the Excellence Award Nomination Form
- Personal Context Statement and Advising Philosophy
- Limit your response to two pages with 12-point font, single spaced, one-inch margins.
- Include a brief job context statement describing how advising undergraduate students is part of your position at U of I.
- Include your advising philosophy and describe how you go beyond your job duties to provide excellent advising and how your efforts impact student success.
- Describe how your advising practices align with the following values: respect, inclusivity, commitment, professionalism, empowerment, integrity and caring.
- Copy of your current resume/curriculum vitae that highlights your advising accomplishments (five-page maximum).
- Be sure to include biographical and contact information.
- Provide information relevant to advising regarding your employment, awards, professional association service and professional development.
- One letter of nomination (two-page maximum) from anyone other than the nominee (i.e., student, colleague, supervisor).
- One letter of recommendation (two-page maximum) from a colleague, supervisor or current or former advisee.
- Optional: Nominator may gather up to 5 additional supporting materials that may include:
- Statements from other colleagues or students in support of the nomination
- Email correspondence
- Student evaluations
- Materials used in advising
- Strategies of engagement
The Dr. Arthur Maxwell Taylor Faculty Excellence in Diversity Award was established in 2014 to be given to a University of Idaho faculty member for excellence in diversity. The goals of the award are to recognize demonstration of or promotion of a continuous commitment to diversity and inclusion on campus through tangible actions; sponsored or coordinated programs on campus that have cultivated diversity and inclusion; or has exceptional work in the area of diversity and inclusion that has encouraged dialogue, promoted reflection, built community or inspired action. For faculty, this award recognizes exceptional performance in at least one of three areas:
- Research/Scholarship excellence in an area of Diversity
- Excellence in Diversity Teaching
- Excellence in Diversity Outreach/Service
The award consists of an honorarium of $4,000. See the previous award winners.
Nomination Guidelines:
Self-nominations and nominations from students and employees are welcome.
Nomination packets should include:
- A letter of nomination, including how the nominee fulfills the goals of the Dr. Arthur Maxwell Taylor Excellence in Diversity Award.
- Two additional letters of support from others who can speak to the nominee’s contributions.
- A copy of the nominee’s CV.
Submit the completed nomination packet via the form at the top of the page.
Excellence in Outreach and Engagement Award is to be given to a University of Idaho faculty member who demonstrates excellence in outreach and engagement that is anchored in scholarship and conducted in collaboration with individuals, communities, organizations or businesses in a context of partnership and reciprocity. Learn more about the award.
The Excellence in Interdisciplinary or Collaborative Efforts was established to recognize and honor faculty members who exemplify interdisciplinary or collaborative efforts. The individual(s) must have contributed to substantial and lasting connections to people, units, programs or departments within the University of Idaho. Nominations are submitted via the Excellence Awards Nomination Form.
This award was established in 2011-12 to acknowledge achievements made by gifted faculty usually during the middle of their career, who have demonstrated a commitment to outstanding scholarship, teaching and engagement. Eligible faculty will have completed three years of full-time service at the university in either tenured, tenure track, or non-tenure track professorial ranks, including faculty at large. Up to nine awards are available to faculty annually. Contact your dean’s office for internal college deadlines. Final nominations by the deans are submitted to the Award Submission form.
University of Idaho seeks nominations for faculty eligible for the rank of University Distinguished Professor. This rank will be bestowed on U of I faculty annually in recognition of sustained excellence, as judged by peers, in scholarly, creative and artistic achievement; breadth and depth of teaching in their discipline; and university service as well as service involving the application of scholarship, creative or artistic activities that address the needs of one or more external publics. Nominations for Distinguished Professor are submitted to the Award Submission form.